Winter in Chicago often means beautiful and picturesque scenes, but it can also mean treacherous driving conditions. Between snow, black ice, and wet roads, knowing proper Chicago winter driving safety is a must. Being armed with proper knowledge can often make the difference between avoiding a car accident and being in a calamitous wreck. To help you be prepared this winter, Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys has put together this list of Chicago winter driving safety tips.
Get Your Car Read for Chicago Winter Driving
Making sure that your automobile is ready for winter conditions can go a long way towards increasing your safety. Tire pressure, fluid levels, wiper conditions, and more are very easy to check, as well as easy to replenish or replace if need be. Something as simple as making sure that your tires are inflated properly can greatly increase your car’s grip on icy roads, while having fresh wipers can make a huge difference in visibility.
Pack a Salt, Sand, or Kitty Litter Bag
To help prevent black ice, city and county workers often layer the streets with salt. Big, thick salt crystals on the road help melt snow and ice. Keeping a bag of salt, sand, or kitty litter in the back of your car can help you avoid getting stuck in a parking space. It also helps add weight to keep you from sliding. Salt bags are particularly great for those with pickup trucks. They can even be the difference between a safe commute and a hazardous spin-out.
Make Sure to Have Shovels and Brushes
You shovel sidewalks and stairs, but have you ever shoveled out your car? Shoveling out your car is just another part of the morning routine in Chicago, especially after a snowstorm. Shovels can break ice that may have formed around your tires. Be sure all of your car windows are free and clear of snow. You don’t want to create more of a blind spot than you already have.
Pack a Second Wardrobe for a Chicago Winter Driving Road Trip
Planning on a winter road trip? Having extra clothing in your car on the off chance you break down can help you avoid frostbite and hypothermia. Illinois temperatures can get below freezing in the winter. Something as simple as an extra set of clothes can make a huge difference.
Use Headlights in the Daytime
You’ve heard of wearing sunglasses at night (inadvisable), but have you heard of headlights in the daytime? It might be 2:00 p.m. and you can see just fine, but having your headlights on can help other drivers see your vehicle more clearly and help you avoid winter injuries in Chicago.
When the snow, the road, and the sky are all differing shades of gray just like your car, headlights help you stand out. While most modern cars have daytime running lights, they might not be enough. Be sure to manually turn on your headlights when doing any Chicago winter driving during the day.
Take it Slow!
When it comes to Chicago winter driving safety, taking it slow and easy is best. Everyone thinks they know the roads they are driving, but that doesn’t always help when driving conditions are suboptimal. Regularly commuted streets you know like the back of your hand can have black ice or slick sleet. Leave a cushion of space between you and other drivers. When in doubt, go even slower. You will be thankful that you didn’t risk it.
Chicago Winter Driving Safety Can Be Tricky
Driving in the winter can be daunting, especially if you aren’t used to it. Worry no more. If you do get hurt in an accident then know that our Chicago personal injury lawyers are available to help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. So, call us today at 708-222-2222. You can also get in touch with us through our LiveChat feature or submit your inquiry via encrypted contact form.
Consultations are free and do not pay any fee unless money has been recovered on your behalf. Lerner and Rowe is proud to have won billions of dollars for our clients, but our team takes even more pride in treating each client with the compassion and respect they deserve. For high-level legal representation coupled with unmatched customer service, Lerner and Rowe is the way to go.